Shadow of the Past (Captain America) // ✔️ //

Chapter 20: The Fear of the Unknown

Antonia didn't know what they meant by a Share Crop, but it had to be an insult, if she was to judge by the looks. There were so many looks that it drove her up the wall. Why didn't Peggy get all of these looks? Why was it just her? Peggy was a woman too, though she didn't act like her which was what the asshole had told her. Guys thought she was promiscuous, a tease, and that angered her, even if it wasn't entirely false. She had slept with a fair number of guys, but she wasn't a slut. She was just a woman, who was proud of her sexuality. She was proud of who she was, even if some thought she was promiscuous. What did it matter who she slept with? Why did it matter to anyone? She wasn't hurting anyone. It was her own damn body. She really hated this time, because a woman couldn't do anything without being called a slut. If a woman wasn't married by now, she must be a lesbian or a failure as a woman.

She took a deep breath as she made her way to her tent. She had a few things to pack before they were off for another location. This time they were heading to a base, near some large city. Antonia couldn't say which city as Phillips didn't tell her, just telling her to pack. It was annoying how he ordered her around, but she supposed that he was doing his job. He was the Colonel and all.

Halfway to her tent, she noticed something along the tent. At first, she thought it was her stalker and almost flipped out, but after a few seconds, she realized that it was a fight between two idiots. They had to be idiots as only idiots would fight a comrade. Like an ugly car accident, she was unable to look away, and as she watched, she recognized one of the idiots: Bucky. Why in the hell is he in a fight? She thought. He wasn't someone who got into fights. Surprisingly, it was Rogers, who she was still mad at, that got into fights.

Not wasting another second, she made her toward the idiots, wondering why Barnes was fighting, but it only took her a few seconds to realize why. He was beating up the Asshole who kept calling her 'Fire Rocket.' She still did not know his name, but she didn't need to know his name to want to punch him in the face or somewhere lower. However, that didn't mean she or anyone else should.

Antonia rushed over as she saw Barnes threw him to the ground. She couldn't allow Barnes to beat the shit out of him as it would end with him in the brig. "Bucky, stop," she yelled as she ran toward him. When he didn't respond, she yelled once more, "Stop!" She grabbed his arm and tried to pull him back. She didn't know what it was, but nothing she did disturbed him. Sure, he was stronger than her, but she at least should've been able to do something. "Barnes!"

At the sound of his last name, Barnes suddenly stopped and dropped the Private, who land with a thump. "Antonia," he uttered. He looked surprised.

"What the hell are you doing?" Antonia snapped as she kneed down to the Private, who was trying to push himself up. "Are you okay?" she asked as she tried to help him. Covered in blood and dirt, he looked like he had gone through the ringer. Though she couldn't stand the man, she didn't want him dead. That was reserved for a very special person.

The Private glanced up at her with a smile. As he tried to get to his feet, he placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. "I didn't know you cared, Doll Face," he stated as he winked at her.

"Get your grumpy ass hand off her," Barnes ordered as he reached down to him; however, Antonia batted his hand away. He was clearly shook. "Antonia." He was giving her a pleading look.

She sent Barnes a warning glare before turning back to the Private. "You're funny," she stated with a hard smile. She shoved his hand off her and stood slowly. After a brief hesitation, she helped him up.

He leaned on Antonia slightly to her annoyance and put his arm around her. "And I didn't even have to pay you?"

Upon hearing him, Barnes went for the Private again, but Antonia wouldn't let him. She pushed the Private, who was very unstable on his feet, back and stepped toward Barnes, putting her arms up to block him. "Barnes, stop. I don't need you to defend my honor," she snapped. "Now calm down."